Rovio: Console games are "dying"

Rovio's Peter Vesterbacka has said the console games business model is "dying", but disagrees with fears that the industry is moving into a "casual" sphere.

Speaking on a panel at South by Southwest, as reported by VentureBeat, Vesterbacka said traditional games business models are no longer sustainable, suggesting a $40 price tag on a game that's difficult to upgrade is ludicrous.

Vesterbacka dismissed the common descriptor "casual games", pointing out that there is no such thing as "casual movies", and that players can be as passionate and involved with mobile and social games as any hardcore title.

Although he admitted that "nobody has figured out" a long-term, reliable business model for mobile and social games, Vesterbacka said the popularity of Angry Brids - which recently passed 10 million downloads - proves there is a business opportunity.

The business development executive commented that his company must be wary of becoming attached to one particular model, and should keep experimenting.